Some facts about the M450
- Technologies: GPS / Bluetooth Smart
- Display: black/white, very easy-to-read LCD display with high contrast and backlighting
- Sensors: Bluetooth Smart for pairing heart rate, speed and power sensors
- Battery life: 12 to 17 hours, depending on the additional functions activated
- Memory: 64 MB flash memory for up to 35 hours of recording time
- Splash-proof (IPX7)
- Barometric altimeter
- LED safety light

Once you have familiarized yourself with the system architecture, the menu navigation is very simple. The M450 is controlled via five different buttons. At the top is the red selection button. On the left side is the button for the light, on the bottom left the back button. The navigation buttons (up/down) are located on the right side and bottom right.

Off to the trail
The M450 is connected to the stem or handlebars via a twist lock. One positive aspect is that it does not only lock into place after 90 degrees, but can be adjusted almost at will. Thanks to the slightly raised design, the computer does not touch the handlebar clamp even with very short stems. It is a shame, however, that the system is not Garmin-compatible, meaning that existing mounts cannot be used.

Before you really get going, you select a preset sport mode - in our case "Mountain biking" - and off you go. The device finds the GPS satellites very quickly, so there are no waiting times.
The display is also impressive. Regardless of which side the sun's rays shine on the screen or whether raindrops wet the surface, the display is always easy to read. A maximum of four values can be displayed simultaneously, which in our opinion is more than enough. By pressing the up and down button, you can click through numerous other displays.With a little sensitivity, the small buttons are easy to operate even when riding at full speed. With long-fingered gloves, operation is a little more challenging. However, the good arrangement of the buttons ensures that you don't immediately get lost in the maze of data if you can't find the button straight away.

On the way, we pass through a poorly lit tunnel. A quick press of the light button and all the information is visible again. A highlight, in the truest sense of the word, is the integrated LED light on the front of the housing. This comes on automatically at dusk or in the dark, provided this has been selected in the basic settings. The small safety light makes you feel much safer in the dark tube.

Data evaluation
At the end of the ride, the most important data can be read directly on the device. The Polar Flow software allows you to review your training in great detail and in a visually appealing way on the screen of your home computer or via the Flow app on your smartphone. The software offers extensive training planning and analysis options as well as synchronization with the Strava app.

Conclusion
Polar has hit the mark with the M450: A visually successful bike computer with a razor-sharp display, clever detailed solutions, numerous functions, and for CHF 229, the whole thing is available at a fair price. The only deduction is the lack of compatibility with ANT+, a standard that, mind you, belongs to Garmin. A device with a dual sensor (Bluetooth Smart and ANT+) would have been the icing on the cake.

www.polar.com